Ebola virus: India issues health advisory for passengers from three high-risk countries

At a time when the Ebola virus has claimed around 130 lives in Africa, India has issued a health advisory for passengers travelling to the country. The advisory, issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), is for those arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected countries. It is currently displayed at the Delhi airport by the Airport Health Organisation (APHO). Those with exposure history or any symptoms are supposed to report immediately to health authorities at the airport, before immigration clearance.

High-risk countries
The advisory is for those coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. These nations have been categorised as 'high-risk countries' by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Symptoms to watch out for
The advisory asks passengers to watch out for symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat and unexplained bleeding. Travellers who had direct contact with blood or body fluids of a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient should also report to the airport health officer or the health desk. Any traveller who develops symptoms within 21 days of arrival should also seek immediate medical care and inform authorities of their travel history.

India's Ebola cases
Union health ministry officials clarified that no case of Ebola has been detected in India so far. However, after the WHO declared Ebola a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the government of India has proactively strengthened surveillance and preparedness measures across the country as an abundance of caution, official sources said. During the meeting, states and Union territories were advised to ensure readiness at all levels.

Screening procedures
Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering pre-arrival and post-arrival screening, quarantine protocols, case management, referral mechanisms and laboratory testing have already been shared with all states and Union territories. All concerned ministries and departments had also been sensitised and were undertaking appropriate preventive and surveillance measures in coordination with the health ministry, the sources stated.

What is Ebola?
Ebola is a fatal yet rare viral illness that causes a hemorrhagic fever, which can damage the cardiovascular system, the ability to clot blood and even cause bleeding, internally or externally. Recently, the WHO declared Ebola an international emergency. The virus is extremely contagious and can spread in humans through contact with bodily fluids like blood, vomit or semen. The current Ebola outbreak is caused by a rare strain of the Ebola virus called the Bundibugyo virus.